Wayne Rooney's DC United can extend purple patch with win over Portland

Washington hosts starting to flourish at new stadium

Wayne Rooney has helped to spark a DC United revival

Patrick McDermott

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By Liam Flin
8:00PM, AUG 14 2018

MLS1am Wednesday night

Critics who were sceptical about Wayne Rooney's impact in Major League Soccer were silenced in DC United's latest outing and the former England skipper can help his side to another win over highflying Portland.

DC United were drawing 2-2 with Orlando City in the final minutes of their last game when Rooney sprinted back to make a last-ditch tackle in his own half before launching a 40-yard assist to secure three points in the 96th minute.

His arrival, coupled with the move to the new Audi Field Stadium, has seen an upturn in form for the Washington-based club.

Having been forced to play the majority of games away earlier in the season, United have won three of their four matches at their new venue and have not lost in their last three – their longest unbeaten run in the MLS in 2018.

Portland remain in the mix to top the Western Conference but have fallen off the pace in the race for the Supporters Shield, winning just two of their last five league matches.

They lost their first home game of the season last time out against a Vancouver team stuck in mid-table obscurity. There were issues in front of goal, with the Timbers failing to make the most of their 26 shots.

DC United have settled into their new home and the goalscoring prowess of Rooney and Luciano Acosta, who bagged a hat-trick on Sunday, can cause problems for Portland.